1. Springboard EA 3.1 – Writing an Analytical Essay
Tangerine by Edward Bloor

2. EA 3.1 – Writing an Analytical Essay Instructions: Write a multi-paragraph literary analysis essay in which you analyze the choices made by Paul’s parents, by Paul, or by another character in the novel. Consider the impact of these choices on Paul. For example, you might focus on how the character’s choices affect Paul’s life, his self-concept, and his relationships with his peers and/or family members.
Review all four Choices and Consequences charts in the Tangerine booklet.
Choose one of the characters to write about in your essay. You must have AT LEAST two quotes from the novel that depict choices they made that impacted Paul.
As you review the choices made by that character, think about one a way that these choices impacted Paul. Try to link the two choices so you can write a focused thesis. For example: Since Betty Bright allowed Paul to play in some of the soccer games, this raised his self-esteem. You would have to give two examples of times when Betty Bright put Paul in the game and how that impacted Paul’s self-esteem.
Complete the outline on SB p. 226.

3. EA 3.1 – Writing an Analytical Essay - Draft out your essay.
In your introduction, include the title and author of the novel. You might
also include a brief summary of the novel and introduce the concept of
choices and the impact of a person’s choices on another person’s life.
Your thesis sentence should state an opinion, without using “I,” about how
________________’s choices affected Paul.
In the body paragraphs, try to explain why the character you selected
made these choices. Most importantly, give details and include specific
examples from the novel to show how this choice affected Paul and what the
long-term consequences were for him and his family. Properly cite page
numbers in parentheses whenever you quote directly from the text. Use and
appropriate format to integrate quotes into your essay, and use effective
transitions to maintain the flow of ideas.
Write a conclusion that includes an evaluation of the character’s choices and
the consequences.
Consider some of the following questions:
Overall, how was Paul affected? How might he have turned out differently if the character had made different choices? Do you think the character meant well? Why or why not?

4. EA 3.1 – Writing an Analytical Essay
Use transition words before the thesis statement, as you move through your discussion of each of the choices, and right before you conclude your essay. Revise and edit. Share with a partner for additional feedback. TYPE YOUR FINAL COPY in a Google Doc Font: Arial or Times New Roman Font Size: 12 Line Spacing: 2.0

5. Example Introduction:
Example Introduction: In the novel Tangerine by Edward Bloor, a middle school-aged boy, Paul Fisher, moves from Houston, Texas to Tangerine County, Florida because of his father’s job change. Paul is visually-impaired and throughout the novel, he is in search of the root cause of his disability—something that has haunted him most of his life. Along the way, he is impacted by the decisions that several people make. Some of those choices impacted him in a positive way and others not. His mother, Mrs. Fisher, had to make decisions that she believed would benefit her son—some of which Paul does not immediately understand or agree with. However, Mrs. Fisher always made decisions on behalf of Paul for his own good.

6. Example Body Paragraph:
Example Body Paragraph: Similarly, after Paul experienced the tragedy of the sinkhole incident at his new school, his mother had to make another important decision. The principal made the parents choose whether to have their children stay at Lake Windsor Middle School on a split schedule or move to another school. Even though the drive would be long and he wouldn’t have any friends there, Mrs. Fisher felt that a move to Tangerine Middle School might offer a fresh start for Paul, “Mom looked at me with her nervous smile, but she nodded right along with him” (94). Mrs. Fisher made the decision to allow Paul to go to Tangerine Middle School after the sinkhole incident because she wanted Paul to get a fresh start and a chance to prove he was normal, while doing what he loved—playing soccer.

7. Example Conclusion:. Parenting brings with it great responsibility
Example Conclusion: Parenting brings with it great responsibility. Sometimes, parents don’t find it easy to make choices on behalf of their children because there are unforeseen consequences. Mrs. Fisher is an involved parent most of the time, and deep down, she wants the best for both of her sons. When making decisions for Paul in the novel, her intention was always good. It didn’t always work out perfectly along the way, but in the end, Paul benefits from her decisions.

8. FORMAT FOR QUOTES
During the interrogation, John insisted to the police officers that, “he wouldn’t tell the truth no matter how many times they asked him " (106).
Notice that the page number is after the quote and the period is at the end of everything!

9. Scoring Guide located on SB pp. 227-2283 2 1
Scoring Criteria
Exemplary
Proficient
Emerging
Ideas
The content shows a sophisticated response to the prompt by insightfully
and clearly:
• analyzing the choices made by the character
• explaining the reasons for those choices
• explaining the impact of the choices on Paul’s life. Specific examples from the
text directly support the claims made in the essay.
The content shows an adequate response to the prompt by:
• identifying the choices made by the character
• explaining the reasons for the choices
• explaining the impact the choices have on Paul’s life.
Examples from the text support the claims made in the essay.
The content does not appropriately respond to the the prompt. The essay does not make clear connections among the choices made by the character, the reasons for the choices, and/or the impact they have on Paul. Analysis may be replaced by
plot summary. Examples from the text are vague or missing.
Organization
The essay is well organized and includes:
• a strong introduction with a hook and clear thesis
• coherent body paragraphs with a defined organizational pattern
• an insightful conclusion.
The essay is organized and includes:
• an introduction with a hook and thesis
• detailed body paragraphs with a defined organizational pattern
• an effective conclusion.
The essay is disorganized and is missing one or more of the following:
• an introduction with a thesis
• developed body paragraphs with a defined organizational pattern
• an adequate conclusion.
Use of Language
Word choice is effective and descriptive throughout the essay. Essay is written in third person point-of-view. It contains no “I’ statements.
Word choice is appropriate and, at times, descriptive. Most of the essay is written in third person point-of-view. It avoids “I’ statements.
Word choice is forced, vague, and/or repetitive. It detracts from the paper.
Essay does not maintain third person point-of-view and contains “I” statements.
Conventions
Direct quotations are punctuated and formatted properly. Writing contains few or no errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or grammar.
Direct quotations may contain minor punctuation or formatting errors.
Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or grammar mistakes do not detract
from the essay.
Direct quotations contain many punctuation or formatting errors.
Spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or grammar mistakes detract from
meaning and/or readability.
Evidence of the Writing Process
Extensive evidence reflects the various stages of the writing process.
Evidence reflects the various stages of the writing process.
Little or no evidence reflects the stages of the writing process.
Scoring Guide located on SB pp